state funeral for the last man standing?

[Martin Bennitt]

President Jacques Chirac said last year that the last surviving French veteran of the Great War would receive a state funeral when he dies. LazarePonticelli, 108, one of the last four left following the death last night of Maurice Floquet (see Soldiers section) says he doesn't want one, as it would be an "affront" to the millions killed on the battlefield.

A bit sad and morbid to think of such things but wondering if pals had any ideas on whether the last British man standing should be given a special send-off, and if so, how?

cheers Martin

[Jonathan Saunders]

This has been discussed in some depth before. There are many factors that need to be considered as the other thread will verify.

Personally speaking I am concerned that such an occasion would be politicised.

[Martin Bennitt]

Sorry Jonathan, I might have known that it'd already been covered, but was unsure what to search on.

cheers Martin B

[Jim Clay]

Martin

Just search on state funeral, all forums and you'll find several relevant threads.

Jim

[Martin Bennitt]

Thanks Jim

Looks like it's well covered, then.

cheers Martin B

[Guest mruk]

Hello Martin,

What are the chances of Chirac and the French Government respecting M. Ponticelli's wishes? On a personal note, these men represent an important link to one of the major events of the last century, and I wouldn't like to think that their contribution had gone unrecognised and unnoticed, so a state funeral would be quite fitting. However, I also believe that we should respect their last wishes, even if this means a low-key and no-fuss ceremony. Their deeds and actions can always be honoured later.

Kind Regards,

Dave

[Jon6640]

We should have regard for the veterans wishes but what about a national service of commemoration of all the men and women who gave their lives, separate from the funeral to be held after it?

Jon

[Martin Bennitt]

What are the chances of Chirac and the French Government respecting M. Ponticelli's wishes?

I would guess that they're hoping that Ponticelli, who is the second oldest of the four survivors, is not the last one left! With luck, Chirac will have gone by the time it happens, but the decision was welcomed by veterans' associations, so the government will be under great pressure to goon with it. They still haven't decided what form the funeral will take or where the last poilu will be buried, at the Invalides alongside Napoleon and Foch, at the battlefield memorial at Verdun, or in the Compiegne forest clearing where the armistice was signed.

cheers Martin B

[Gibbo]

We should have regard for the veterans wishes but what about a national service of commemoration of all the men and women who gave their lives, separate from the funeral to be held after it?

Jon

Isn't that what is proposed in the UK?